I consider Fred's product to be a lot like a drug. Every bass I own that doesn't have a DS or a Bi-Sonic just won’t get played much, and when I bring a non-Darkstar bass to a gig, I spend the entire set turning dials and thinking that my sound is just too thin. Then change back in the second set. Of course the exception are my original Bi-Sonics, which sound perfect, but I don't have the same scale or pickup position options. Even my Guild's that I dearly love with 70's humbuckers, really fall flat for me when I play live.
I have built three Fender Frankenstein’s with DS's. A candy apple red P bass with two DS's, one at the neck and one in the center (my fave). A tobacco sunburst maple-body Jazz with one in DS the center and a Lindy Frailin at the bridge (I almost never use the Frailin). A custom splake maple semi-hollow body tele bass, with DS's at the Bridge and the neck. It has a Warmouth Jazz neck that I have shaved down thinner to match my MIJ Jazz bass necks that are on my other Fenderstines.
I have two other wonderful Fenders without DS's that just never get playing time. The fact is, if it’s a bass I use to record with or play-out, I can’t live without DS or Bi-Sonics!
The irony is just amazing that many of us are making our Fenders sound like old Guilds, and Fender owns the company!